The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1887-01-12


that score, said MARTHA, feafetFuliy. II
It hadn't been for me 1t wouldn't have hap
peued in the first place.
Trayers smiled ianguidly, and whisper
ed:
| think am a very lucky fellow, if
you are going to take care of me 70
And so do ~ said the doctor, prompt
ly. 81 always said, Martha, that there was
no one in Arlington who could nurse like
gou, and l think I should rather enjoy a
months living on your cookery"
Long before they would let Travers put
his foot down, he had lost his pallor and
was looking better than he had done before.
But it was not until Christmas Day that he
stood once more firmly ON his feet and sat
down to dinner well man.
Mr.. Stokes was away tending sick
friend, so that Travers had to take the head
of the table.
You will have to carve said Martha
as the Christmas turkey came in, brown
and beautiful under the crown of holly.
Oh, mercy, cruel maid !" cried Travers,
in disniay.
= It isn't as bad as chopping OH heads,
said Martha. encouragingly. I" You can't
kill yourself"
'But don't know howl" pleaded pool
Trayers.
. Neither do I. And mother can't, YOU
lnaw, with the rheumatism in her hands
Neseranind Chop it up somehow. |. will
taste just rs WE'LL"
Trayers saw he was in for it, and rose Il.
the occasion, but not without fear.
The turkey was splendid big one, but
he hadn't the least idea how to get at it. II
was easy enough shaving slices of the
breast, but the JOINTS worked him up into
fever. He didn't know where to find them.
The anatomy of this fowl strikes me as
being something remarkable, he said look
ing sayagely at refractory drumstick
which seemed to be furnished with a steel
hinge.
: Thee will find the joint further down.
Friend Travers," said Mrs. Stokes, gently.
I" Don't hurry; take thy time to it,
Oh, yes - said Trayers, hopefully
Here it is.p
AT the same time he made q wild lunge oil
the fowl with his knife; the turkey slipped
on the greasy plate, and with remarkable
vitality, jumped completely off the table on
the floor.
Trayers dropped his knife and fork, aud
sank into chair, full of modification and
rage.
think I'd better let turkeys alone" he
said, grimly. :" am sorry, Miss Martha,
but didn't mean to do it."
4 Never mind,n she said, picking up the
degraded fowl aud hurrying it back to the
kitchen. You have cut off enough for us
on the plate. Mother and both prefer
white meat. Shall help you to cranberries,
Mr.. Travers ?"
Poor Trayers had sense of keen discom.
future. What fool Martha must thinA
him la man fit for nothing bat painting
poor daubs that wouldn't sell at half-price
He chafed against his own shortcomings,
and when Martha came into the sitting
room, after dinner, she found him standing
by the open IRE, looking thoroughly I'M
comfortable
g am afraid you are having very dull
Christmas she said, coming up beside
him. 81 am sorry we haven't housefu.
Of young people to make it merry"
81 am not, " said Travers, bluntly. az
I'm quite satisfied as it is. don't want any
body but you. have been waiting all day
to speak to you; but you were so occupied
with that abominable turkey"
Somebody had to see to the dinner"
she said, quietly, and mother wasn't
able"
6" want to give you something" he went
on, awkwardly-"a little Christmas gift.
viii you take it and wear it, Martha? l
should like 1t to remind you that I shall
never forget your ki ess."
He spoke very c. .msily, but he drew
from his pocket beautiful diamond ring,
which he held out to her.
"Oh, Mr.. Trayers !" she cried, as she
held the beautiful jewel for moment in
her hand. g You are very generous. It is
exquisite. Indeed, never saw one so fine
but cannot take it from you'll cannot,
indeed. My mother would not like me to.
It is too costly gift by far"
"Bnt want you to take it, Martha.
Won't you take it, to please me %
" / cannot! J" she said, handing it back to
him. g But don't misunderstood me. You
must see yourself why il is imp-oncr for me
10 receive such gift"
g Perhaps So he returned, lingering
the ring nervously g But there is very
easy way around that difficulty, Martha, il
--if you will only give me the right to give
It to you.'
"You are not very explicit, Mr.. Trayers,"
abe said, looking down.
" Martha" he said, seizing her hands,
''you are fiirt like the rest of your sex
You know love you. ! have loved You
from the first, and II you will marry a man
who can neither kill nor carve turkey, l
will do my best to learn
She looked up at him, smiling.
"Roast turkey is MT the only meat in
the world, Owen" she said, shyly. 81
:an very well do without it,
But she wasn't obliged to do that, for
Trayers has conquered his inefacieney, and
he kills all the poultry in the most approx
ed manner. And as for carving, his wife,
Martha, thinks him and justly, too the
daintiest carver for niles around.
Long Distance rfauls.